Adjustable cushion filling machine



NOV. 23, 1937. H, LA 2,099,897

ADJUSTABLE CUSHION FILLIN MACHINE Filed May 11, 1955 2 Sheets-Sheet l Nov. 23, 1937. LANG 2,099,897

ADJUSTABLE CUSHION FILLING MACHINE Filed May 11, 1935 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Nov. 23, 1937 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 8 Claims.

This invention relates to adjustable cushion filling machines which are designed to operate automatically to force the material into the cushion under compression so as to fill the cushion as the 5 material expands into the cushion cover.

A feature resides in providing an adjustable stufiing box which may be adjusted laterally and vertically to the desired size. The stufiing box is thus formed expandable and by the adjusting means the same may be adjusted to the desired size, both as to width and thickness of the cushion. The stufiing material is placed in the stuffing box and compressed thereby and then the cushion covering is slipped over the end of the stuffing box and by means of the ejecting plunger which operates in the stufi'ing box the stufiing material is pushed into the cover of the cushion automatically.

The general operation of my cushion filling machine is the same as that disclosed in my Patent No. 1,724,030, and I have added thereto an adjusting means which permits the stufiing box to be quickly adjusted to the desired size in relation to the thickness of the cushion to be filled by my 25 machine. Thus it is possible for my cushion filling machine to be more readily adjusted as to the thickness of cushions filled by the same.

The adjusting means for regulating the thickness of the stufiing box of this filling machine includes the operating wheel which raises or lowers the upper adjustable plates of the stuffing box, thereby adjusting the compartment of the stuffing box as to the vertical space between the top and bottom plates of the stuffing box.

In the drawings forming part of this specification:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of my adjustable cushion filling machine.

Figure 2 is an enlarged front elevation in detail of the stuffing box and the adjustable bracket for the top plates of the same.

Figure 3 is a perspective view of the bracket which I employ, showing the operating handle and supporting guide plate for the bracket.

Figure 4 is a plan view of a portion of my machine.

Figure 5 is a side view of my machine.

My cushion filling machine A is made up in a simple manner, having a compact construction 5 which permits the cushion filling material to be placed in felt receiving stuffing box C. The stuffing box C is made up of the lower portion I and the upper portion I6. The lower portion I5 is 5 rigidly fixed to the top of the side plates Ill and II which form the frame so as to be held in an approximately horizontal plane, practically parallel with the floor on which the legs of the machine A rest. It is apparent, however, that the portion I5 of the stufiing box 0 can be attached in any suitable manner or in any angular position that may be desired.

The lower part i 5 and the upper part I6 of the stuifing box C are formed of sections to permit the same to slidably fit together so that the stuffing box C may be adjusted as to size both as to the width and height of the same.

The lower portion I5 is provided with a central plate-like portion I8 which is held rigidly in place centrally of the base portion B, while the portions I9 are slidably held with the edge 20 overlapping the outer longitudinal edge of the plate I8 as illustrated in Figure 2. The end members I9 are carried by the threaded shaft 2| which is provided with right and left hand portions adapted to engage in the bracket supporting members 22 which are secured to the members I 9.

The members I9 are right angular in shape, having upwardly extending side walls 23 to which are secured guides 24 which are spaced from the outer vertical surfaces of the members I9 to form longitudinally extending recesses 25 along the outside of the walls 23. The recesses 25 are adapted to receive the depending sides 26 which are formed on the angular side members 21 of the top I6 of the stuffing box C.

The top I6 of the stufiing box C is made up similar to the bottom I5 and is provided with a central plate portion 28 which is held by two transversely extending shafts 29 which extend across the top of the cover I6 and which are adapted to extend through the bosses 30 formed on the front end of the arm 3|. The shafts 29 extend parallel to each other and the arm 3| engages these shafts centrally between the ends, one shaft 29 passing through the bosses or journals 39 and the other through the bosses or journals 30, as illustrated in Figure 3.

Set screws 32 are adapted to hold the shafts 29 in position so that the ends of the shafts 29 extend approximately equal on either side of the bracket arm 3|.

The angular portions 21 of the cover I6 are slidably supported by the outer ends of the shafts 29 by the bearings 34 which are secured to the angle members 21. The inner ends of the angle members 2'! overlap at 35 with the outer longitudinal edges of the plate 28. Thus the angle plate members 2i are slidable toward and away from the center of the plate member 28.

When the stufilng box C is closed, as illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, the edges 26 engage in the recesses 25 of the angle member I9 and by the operation of the screw members 2| the stuffing box can be adjusted to the desired width, by operating the screws 2| in the direction desired. The operation of the screws 2| expands or contracts the stufling box C which adjusts the width of the same. The operating screws 2| for adjusting the width of the stuffing box C are adapted to be operated in unison by the connecting chain 38 which operates over suitable sprockets carried on the ends of the shafts 2| which pro- 7 ject from the side wall I I of the machine A. One of the shafts 2| carries a hand wheel 39 and a handle 4|] which permits theoperator to easily operate the screws 2| by rotating the same. 7 Thus the operator can readily operate the screws 2| so as to adjust the width of the stuffing box 0. 1 r

The arm 3| which supports the cover I6 of the stufling box C is pivotally connected at 42 to, suit able brackets 43., which projectfrom the top of the frame B at the back of the same. The arm 3| is adapted to be slidably supported by the cross head 44 from which projects rearwardly a member 45. The cross head 44 is formed with guides the arm 3| can be adjusted to adjust the top I6 in relation to the bottom I5 of the stuffing box C. This provides an adjustment for regulating, the depth of the stuffing box and permits a thicker or thinner cushion stuffing material to besupported in the stuffing box 0.

The projection 45 provides a means of supporting the arm 50 which adjustably supports the weight 55 on the outer end of the same. The

weight 55 is adapted to actas a counterbalancing means for the top I6 and permits the top I6 to be raised around the pivot point 42' so that the stufiing material may be easily placed inthe bot-,

tom I5 of the stufiing box 0 when the top I6 is swung into open position. 7

A pinion 62 on the, motor I4 engages the gear I 63 mounted on the shaft 64. A pinion 65 on the shaft 64 engages a gear'66, acting to rotate the crank armv 19 connected by the. link 18 to the link arm,5,9, Whichis pivotally connected at to the bracket 6|. A plunger arm 51 is pivotally and slidably connected to the link arm 59, and is operated thereby. The plungerarm 5'! slides in a bracket 58 projectingrfrom the rear portion of the machine, and operates the plunger arm 5| shown in Figure 2, to force the filling material into the covering.

The arm 3| is provided withan outwardly projecting end 44 which is pivotally connected at 45 to the'link I46, while the'link M6 is pivoted at I4! to a second link I48, and this link I48 is pivotally connected at I49 to the lower part of the frame B, as is illustrated in FigureS of the drawings. In this manner toggle levers are provided at the links I46 and M8 for the operation of the arm 3| so as to raise and lower the top I6 of the stuffing box C. To facilitate the easy operation of the toggle links I46 and. I48 I pro-, vide an operating handle I50 formed with a hand 7 engaging end 5| and which is provided with a notch 52 which engages over the shoulder bar 53 along the front face of the base B. This permits the handle to. be locked into closed Po i ion as the weight of the outer handle end 5|. beyond the shoulder 52 is sufficient to hold the'handle on the shoulder bar 53, and thus hold the-cover I6 locked down into closed position, as illustrated in full lines in Figure 5. When thecover I 6, is opened the handle I50 is raised off of the shoulder bar 53.. so that the notch 52 is disengaged therefrom and by pushing backward on the handle, the inner n f w hf ivoted. a .4: 9. he gle link I46; the links I46 and I48 are operated into the position in dotted outline to raise the cover I 6 by pulling down on the lever end 45 of the arm 3 I.

To operate the adjustment of the width of the stuffing box 0 I provide an operating handle 89 which is pivotally connected to the frame at 8|,

and is formed with a hand engaging end 82; Pivotally connected to the lever I provide yokes 83'which engage in the collars of the clutch mernbers84-and respectively. The clutch members 84 and 85 are freely rotatable on the ends of the shafts 2| and are adapted to be held inneutral or inoperative position by the lever 80.

The lever 80 can be moved so as'to throw the clutch 84 into engagement with a complemental" machine A, and these sprocket members are car-.

Thus thechains 86 and 81 operate the clutch.

members 84 and'85 continuously during the operation of the machine and are adapted to. operate the clutch members 84Jand 85 so that they canbe thrown into engagement with the V complemental clutch members 84 and 85 whenever it is desired by engaging the handle portion 82 of the lever 80, When they qperator of the machineA desires to close the sides of the Stufilng box C together to narrow the width ofthe same,

he throws the lever 89 into, position to cause the clutchmember 84 to operatewith the complemental clutch member 84". ,When he desires to open or increase the width of the stufiing box C he throws the lever into position to operate the clutch member 85 with the member 85', thus operating the screw members 2| either in one direction or the other, owing to the difference in rotative operation of the chains 86 and 88*, one 7 running in one direction and the other in the opposite direction.

-To permit the operation of releasing the lever 88 into neutral position inthe operation of the machine A I provide a lever arm 90- which is connected to the lower portion of the'stuffing-box, at one of the angle members I9 atl9 l. The outer free end 92 ofthe'arm SU-carries adjustable pins 93 and 94 which are positioned 'one'on'either These stop pins 92 and side of the handle 80. 93 can beset 'at the desired: position on the'rlever arm 90 so that in the operation of the screw members 2;I, the clutches 84 and 85-can'be disen;

eaeed automa ca whe the pos ti of he sides of the box C assume a predetermined point, Thus in the operation of the machine A when the. clutch 84 is thrown into operation to rotate the shafts 2 .I in a direction to draw thesides of neutral position. On the other hand, when the clutch 85 is operated to rotate the shafts 2| into the opposite direction to open or spread the sides of the stufiing box C apart, when the sides have assumed the desired position, the stop pin 94 will engage on the other side of the handle to disengage the clutch and throw the same into neutral position. This operation of the machine is entirely automatic and permits the operator to freely operate the other parts of the machine without concern, after he has operated the lever 8|] into the position desired. The adjustment of the pins 93 and 94 permit the setting of the automatic operation of the lever 80 to the desired position, so that the lever 80 will be operated at the proper time.

The operation of my machine A is simple and is carried out primarily as defined in my Patent No. 1,724,030, dated August 13, 1929. The foregoing description of the alternative automatic construction clearly defines the automatic operation as described in my former patent. With these features as set forth in that patent, I have inoluded the adjustable means of the arm 3| which is easily operated by the handle 49 to raise or lower the top H5 in relation to the bottom l5. Manual operation of my device is relatively simple. When the operator has adjusted the stufiing box C as to the width by means of the handle 39 while the bottom and top of the stufiing box are in closed position as illustrated in Figures 1 or 2, then the depth between the bottom and top is regulated by the handle 49, after which the top i6 is swung open and the stuffing material placed therein; then the top I6 is closed over the same and the cover of the cushion is slipped over the end of the stufifing box C into the desired position, and then a suitable ram 56 within the stuffing box is automatically operated by the power of the motor H to push the stuffing material into the covering and simultaneously the covering is slid off of the stuffing box C, whereupon the cushion material is neatly contained within the covering of the cushion and it is only necessary to close the open end of the covering to complete the cushion.

These features define my adjustable cushion filling machine and while they have been illustrated and shown in the drawings of a particular construction, it is obvious that such variations as may be apparent to those skilled in the art may be made within the scope of the following claims, without departing from my invention.

I claim:

1. A stufiing machine including an adjustable stufiing box including upper and lower sections having means for adjusting the width thereof, a base upon which said sections are mounted, means for adjusting the depth of said stumng box, means for operating said stufling machine to automatically insert the stufling material into the cushion covering and hinge means for said upper sections interposed between said stufling box depth adjusting means and said base.

2. A stufiing machine including, a base portion, a stufiing box formed with upper and lower adjustable sections supported by said base portion, means for adjusting said sections to vary the width thereof, means for adjusting the sections to vary the height of said stufling box including two relatively adjustable parts, means connecting one of said parts to said upper section, and means pivotally connecting said other part to said base.

3. A stufling machine including, a base portion, a stuffing box supported on said base formed of a series of sectional members adjustably connected together, means for hingedly supporting some of said sections to permit the stufling box to be readily opened, counterbalancing means for said hingedly supported sections, means for adjusting the width of said stuifing box, means interposed between said some sections and said hingedly supporting means for adjusting the depth of said stuffing box, means connected to said adjusting means adjacent said hingedly supporting means for pivoting said some sections, the adjustable sections of said stufling box overlapping, and forming when closed a compartment for receiving the stufiing material which is to be stufied into a cushion covering, and means for automatically ejecting the stufiing material while simultaneously filling the cushion covering.

4. A cushion filling machine including a contractable cushion filling box having top and bottom portions, means for operating said box to contract or expand the same to any predetermined width, releasing means for disengaging the power operating means in the expanding or contracting operation of said box, pivotal mounting means for said top portion, and means connected between said pivotal mounting means and said top portion for adjusting said stufiing box to receive cushion filling materials of different depths.

5. A cushion filling machine including an adjustable stuifing box having top and bottom portions, power means for adjusting the width of said stufling box, a fixed pivot to which said top portion is secured and hand adjusting means interposed between said top portion and said pivot for adjusting the depth of said stuffing box.

6. A cushion filling device comprising a base portion, a stuffing box mounted on said base portion having upper and lower members made up of a series of overlapping plates, means for hingedly supporting said upper portion of said stuffing box to permit said stuiiing box to be opened wide so that stufiing material may be easily laid within the same, means for adjusting the width of said overlapping plates of said stuffing box, and means interposed between said upper members and said hingedly supporting means for adjusting the depth of said stuffing box when it is closed.

'7. A cushion filling machine including an adjustable stuffing box including top and bottom portions, means for adjusting said stuffing box as to the width thereof, means for adjusting said stuffing box as to the depth thereof, said depth adjusting means including an arm for supporting the top portion of said stufling box, a cross head pivotally secured to said bottom portion for slidably supporting said arm, and screw means for adjusting said arm in relation to said cross head.

8. A cushion filling machine including a studing box made up of a series of overlapping adjustable plates, means for adjusting said plates to overlap more or less in the width to adjust the width of said stufling box, means for adjusting the depth of said stufling box by changing the overlapping position of the top and bottom portions of said stufiing box, said depth adjusting means including a slidable bracket supported upon a cross head, dove-tailed guides for connecting said bracket to said cross head, and screw means for adjusting said bracket in relation to said cross head.

MARTIN H. LANG. 

